
Issue No 88		16 March 2001

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News

Casino Workers Seek Full Metal Jacket

By Andrew Casey

A national official of the Casino Union has called for the urgent introduction of metal detection devices, warning that a Casino worker could be killed or badly hurt as the current Australian gambling mania grows and spreads uncontrollably.

" The evidence is there that our members are being subjected to increasing levels of frustration and anger from gamblers as their desire to win tumbles quickly into abuse as they lose more and more money," Tim Ferrari, the LHMU Assistant National Secretary said today.

" Our concerns are real that a casino worker could be killed if these metal detection devices are not introduced as a matter of urgency."

The LHMU national executive this week voted for the urgent introduction of metal detection devices at all Australian Casinos to protect members for irate gamblers seeking vengeance for loss of life savings and/or family breakdowns.

The union's National Executive has also called on governments to consider the introduction of strict new advertising codes which would moderate the current unrestrained promotion of gambling.

" The union acknowledges the increasing public disquiet about gambling and its adverse social consequences where it is overused by government as a revenue raising device and where private profit gambling facilities begin to dominate, to the detriment of collective social and community facilities and activities available to the general community."

The LHMU national executive resolved to support a comprehensive government and industry response to this issue which involves:

� moderation of current unrestrained gambling advertising;

� education of gamblers regarding unacceptable conduct towards gaming workers;

� enforcement by gaming businesses of an agreed code of conduct for patrons.

" The US experience and some experiences in Australia suggest that protecting workers through the introduction of metal detection devices is necessary and not alarmist," Ferrari says.

" Overseas some extremely angry gamblers have caused injury or death to workers as vengeance for loss of savings and/or family breakdowns .

" Australian workers must be protected to ensure this does not happen here."

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  Issue 88 contents

Interview: Labor Law
Shadow Attorney General Robert McClelland outlines his plans for workers entitlements, legal aid and a Bill of Rights

Unions: Poetic Justice
The ACTU kicked off its 2001 Living Wage campaign this week with a new shock tactic: poetry.

Technology: Big Brother�s Legacy
Organisations with restrictive staff email polices risk locking themselves in the Industrial Age by treating their staff as units to be monitored.

Corporate: Scumbags Exposed
On the eve of the inaugural Corporate Scumbags Tour, we look at the worst of the worst from the Top End of Town.

International: Playing Away
Pat Ranald looks at a proposal to hold Australian companies to basic standards when they invest in developing countries.

Environment: Nuclear Titanics
The Maritime Union has joined Greenpeace in a campaign to stop our seas becoming a nuclear highway.

History: Out of the Bog
Neale Towart looks at the life of big Jim Larkin, one of the heroes of an Irish trade union movement that continues to thrive.

Politics: Westie�s Macquarie Street Alert
The Workers MLC, Ian West, provides the first in a series of regular rundowns on the upcoming Parliamentary session

Review: The Next American Century?
How will the United States maintain its global power in an era when the very notion of the nation-state is under challenge?

Satire: Dollar Crashes Through Psychological 0.00c Barrier
The bedevilled Australian dollar dropped below the crucial 0.00c barrier losing its battle to avoid the humiliation of being worth less than the commemorative Bradman coins distributed by the Sunday Telegraph last weekend.

» Directors Face Criminal Charges Over Super Scam

» Call Centre Code Picks Up Speed

» Staff Demand Action as Jobless Number Grows

» Lifeguards to Down Togs Over Sweaty Speedo Scam

» Hotel Workers Refuse to Raise Sweat

» Blood on the Beds at Sleep City

» Paint Lock-Out Claims First Victim

» Casino Workers Seek Full Metal Jacket

» Leichhardt Council Endangers the Public

» Casual Teachers Break Through

» Tide Turns on Award-Stripping

» Workers Demand Seat on Racing Board

» Shangri-La Faces D-Day

» Fiji PM Appointment Illegal

» Activists Notebook